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Humayun Islam, M.D., Ph.D., Appointed Chair of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at New York Medical College (NYMC)

Humayun Islam, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed chair of the newly combined Departments of Pathology and of Microbiology and Immunology at NYMC

Date: February 03, 2021
Humayun Islam, M.D., Ph.D.
Humayun Islam, M.D., Ph.D.
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Jennifer Riekert, M.B.A.
Vice President of Communications
and Strategic Initiatives
New York Medical College
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Valhalla, New York – February 3, 2021 – Humayun Islam, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed chair of the newly combined Departments of Pathology and of Microbiology and Immunology at New York Medical College (NYMC). Most recently serving as interim chair of the Department of Pathology at NYMC since 2019, Dr. Islam will bring valuable interdisciplinary experience and research expertise to the newly merged department.

Dr. Islam joined NYMC in 2002 and currently holds a faculty appointment in the School of Medicine (SOM) as clinical professor of pathology and clinical associate professor of medicine. He is also a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences (GSBMS). He serves as vice director of pathology, chief of anatomic pathology, director of hematopathology and director of the pathology residency program at Westchester Medical Center (WMC), one of NYMC's major clinical affiliated sites.

"The integration of the Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology will provide new opportunities to leverage the combined educational, clinical and research expertise in these outstanding departments. We fully expect that having closer interactions of clinicians with basic science investigators will lead to major advances in clinical translational studies for our faculty and learners," says Jerry L. Nadler, M.D., SOM dean and professor of medicine and pharmacology.  "We are also conducting a national search to recruit a vice chair of research as another benefit for the combined department. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated  that having basic science expertise to tackle important clinical problems rapidly can be lifesaving. I am very eager to work with Dr. Islam as chair of this newly integrated department."

Over his more than 15 years with NYMC, Dr. Islam has been an active member of the College community, serving as a member of the NYMC Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects Oncology Panel, a member of the Graduate Medical Education executive committee, as well as an advisor, educator and mentor to students, residents and fellows.

He is a recognized leader in his field both nationally and internationally. Dr. Islam is currently serving a second term as chair of the New York State House of Delegation of the American College of Pathologists and recently became the President of the New York State Society of Pathologists. He is a strong advocate of global health initiatives; regularly volunteers in telepathology consultations and conducts in-person workshops overseas. Dr. Islam is the author of several peer-reviewed articles representing the collaborative work of the Department of Pathology, together with several other departments at NYMC and WMC. He has been named as a Top Pathologist by the New York Top Doctor Patient Review.

Dr. Islam received his medical degree at Dhaka Medical College in Bangladesh and his Ph.D. from Hokkaido University School of Medicine in Japan. He completed his residency training in anatomic and clinical pathology in NYMC's Department of Pathology at WMC, where he served as chief resident and his fellowship training in hematopathology at New York University Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Islam is triple board-certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology and Hematology. 

New York Medical College

Founded in 1860, New York Medical College is one of the oldest and largest health sciences colleges in the country with nearly 1,500 students and 330 residents and clinical fellows, more than 2,600 faculty members and 23,200 living alumni. The College, which joined the Touro College and University System in 2011, is located in Westchester County, New York, and offers degrees from the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, the School of Health Sciences and Practice, a School of Dental Medicine and a School of Nursing. NYMC provides a wide variety of clinical training opportunities for students, residents, and practitioners. For more information, visit www.nymc.edu.  

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